Sawyer Camp Trail,
San Mateo County Parks and Recreation,
San Mateo County

In
brief:
7 mile out and back walk on paved path along Crystal Springs Reservoir.
One of the most popular recreation trails in the Bay Area

Distance, category, and difficulty:
This 7 mile out and back walk is easy. Sawyer Camp Trail stretches
6 miles. The lower section is completely flat, and the upper stretch has
a few easy hills.

Exposure:
Mostly exposed.

Trail traffic:
Heavy.

Trail surfaces:
Paved trail.

Hiking time:
2 1/2 hours.

Season:
Nice any time; lovely in autumn.

Getting there:
From Interstate 280 in San Mateo County, exit #36 Hayne Road/Black Mountain
Road (if you're approaching northbound, turn left at the end of the exit
ramp). Drive south on Skyline Boulevard about 1.3 miles, to the trail entrance
on the right (west) side of the road.

Trailhead details:
Roadside parking. No entrance or parking fees. Pit toilets just inside the
entrance gate, and at several other locations along the trail. Maps available
at information signboard near entrance. Pay phone near entrance. Drinking
water near the trail's half-way point, at the Jepson Laurel Area. There
are three designated handicapped parking spots, and the trail is wheelchair
accessible. You can also access the trail from a northern trailhead, near
Hillcrest Boulevard. There is no direct public transportation to this trailhead.

Rules:
The trail is multi-use. Dogs are not permitted. Trail is open from sunrise
to sunset.

Sawyer
Camp Trail is one of the most popular recreation paths in the Bay Area. On any given day you are prone to encounter roller
bladers, cyclists, moms and dads with strollers, joggers, and folks looking for
easy exercise. The 6 mile paved trail stretches from the shores of Crystal
Springs Reservoir to San Andreas Lake, through protected San Francisco
Watershed lands. Sawyer Camp is as close as most of us will ever get to
the off-limits watershed property, which is a shame, since it looks pretty
from this fenced-off trail.
Markers every half mile make it easy to
track your progress as you travel Sawyer Camp Trail. Seasoned hikers will
probably prefer one of the other dirt trails in nearby county parks, as
walking on this paved trail definitely is not a wilderness experience.
But for wheelchairs users
and parents with young kids, Sawyer Camp Trail is a good choice for a
gentle outdoor outing. It's also a great location to learn (or relearn)
to ride a bicycle -- the southern part of the trail is almost perfectly
flat, while the northern section has a slight grade.Begin at the southern trailhead.
You can consult the map at the information signboard, but there's not
much call for that, as there are no intersecting trails. The wide paved
trail is split down the middle like a road; do stay to the right to avoid
a collision with other trail users. Crystal Springs Reservoir shines to
the left, although access is prohibited by a tall chain link fence. Benches
sit along the sides of the trail in several spots, allowing for rest or
lunch breaks. The trail winds through open areas, with toyon, coyote brush,
and poison oak common, as well as more shaded
stretches where coast live oak and California bay dominate the landscape.
Shade is sporadic so bring a hat on a sunny day. You may see (or hear)
ducks and other waterbirds, deer, rabbits, and raptors. Sawyer Camp occasionally
drifts inland, away from the water for short stretches, but then returns
to offer fabulous views across the reservoir to the western
hills. In autumn if you stand quietly along wooded sections of the trail
you may see small birds feeding on honeysuckle and poison oak berries,
as well as acorns. Once past the northern edge of Crystal Springs Reservoir,
Sawyer Camp Trail enters an area where coast live oak and California bay
mix through Monterey pine, madrone, cypress, and a few buckeye. Willow
and dogwood mark seasonal creeks on the left.At
the 3 mile mark, a gated and locked service road crosses Sawyer Camp Trail.
You may spot coyote scat here, as Canis latrans are fond of marking
their territory at crossroads. Dogwood, ash, cottonwood, and poison oak
make a dramatic and gorgeous fall statement as Sawyer Camp Trail continues
north, putting forth bright leaves of gold and red in early November.
At 3.50 miles you'll reach the Jepson Laurel area.
Pass the portable toilets and veer left on
a narrow path a few feet, where a plaque heralds the massive bay (there
are better views from the edge of the picnic area, to the right). This
is the largest California bay tree in the state, and is believed to be
over 600 years old. Retrace your steps when you're ready to return
to the trailhead.